A six-year-old girl’s passport application was declined in the UK due to her name. Lucy Holloway was informed that her daughter, Khaleesi, could not receive a passport because Warner Brothers holds a copyright on the name.
Khaleesi Holloway was named after Daenerys Targaryen from the popular book series and TV show Game of Thrones.
Lucy mentioned that Khaleesi’s passport application was initially rejected by the Passport Office, jeopardizing their planned trip to Paris. Authorities claimed a passport couldn’t be issued under the name Khaleesi due to its copyright status with Warner Bros. However, the Passport Office has since apologized for the mistake, as reported by BBC.
“I was absolutely devastated, we were so looking forward to our first holiday together,” Lucy said. “But then I had a letter come through from the Passport Office, saying her name is trademarked by Warner Brothers.
“It was the first I’ve heard of such a thing – I was astonished,” said 39-year-old Lucy, who lives in Wiltshire.
Lucy sought legal advice and found that the trademark only pertains to goods and services, not a person’s name. She provided this information to the Passport Office. “That information was sent to the Passport Office who said I would need a letter from Warner Brothers to confirm my daughter is able to use that name,” she said. “I didn’t understand and felt frustrated. If she could get a birth certificate, would something not have been flagged up then?”
The Passport Office has since apologized for the mistake.
An official clarified the situation as a misunderstanding. “He advised me that they should be able to process my daughter’s passport now,” Lucy said.
The family had to delay their planned trip to Disneyland Paris because of the mix-up. Due to increased ticket prices, they might have to cancel the trip altogether.
“We may not be able to go to Disney now because of the delay, the prices have gone up by £800. I have been working for six days a week to pay for the holiday and now it looks like we won’t be able to go,” a disappointed Lucy said.